Need an early season incentive to get a long swim in before a summer middle or long distance race?

If so, sign up to take part in the annual Swimathon (www.swimathon.org) at your local pool between 27th and 29th April.

That’s what I’ll be doing, having already entered for the 5km distance several months ago. Besides, if you typically do your swimming in a public lane session, you may well find that the Swimathon event will have taken over your lanes anyway (that’s certainly the case at my pool), so you may as well get your session in that way!

It’s a great way to get a long distance swim done, entry is not expensive and you’ll be helping the Cancer Research UK and Marie Curie charity partners in the process. What’s not to like? Sign up now.

Swimathon: 27th – 29th April 2018

Swimathon 2018, is the world’s biggest annual fundraising swim, and takes place from the 27th – 29th April at over 600 pools.

Distances range from 400m to 5km and the 5km and 2.5km distances can be done as relays should you prefer, so a great pre-season bench mark.

You can also sign up for MY Swimathon (https://swimathon.org/challenges/myswimathon) which enables you to do one of the swims at your own pool from the 20th April – 6th May or the Club Challenge (https://swimathon.org/challenges/swim-club-challenge). Prices start from only £13.

The event this year aims to raise £2 million to reach the overall milestone of £50 million, raising more money than ever for great causes. In the 30 years since it began, Swimathon has raised a staggering £48 million, benefiting 36 different charities. This year Swimathon welcomes Cancer Research UK and Marie Curie as its official charity partners and all fundraising will be donated to both charities.

If you need a plan to focus on getting swim fit for this challenge then British Swimming’s Jol Finck has some great training plans HERE.

Make sure you are part of swimming’s No.1 mass participation event at www.swimathon.org